Uncontrolled desires coupled with base motives reduces a human being to the level of a beast. Such was the case with Athaliah, the Queen Mother, who usurped the throne of Judah after ordering the massacre of all the members of the royal family, so that she could promote the worship of Baal, the personification of deceit, avarice and lust. Like her wicked mother, Queen Jezebel of the Northern kingdom of Israel, whose flesh was eaten by dogs, Athaliah was disposed of at the horses' gate.

We may convince ourselves that we do not manifest such beast-like aberrations, in our conduct, but we fare no better when we become attached to riches and expose ourselves to the temptations of material practices which violate fundamental human rights.

To put great store in goods that are perishable only to have a constant source of anxiety for their safety, seems rather strange and foolhardy for any sensible human being to do. Alas, this is all too common in a world obsessed with consumerism and power-seeking instead of being motivated by a set of values, spiritual and religious in nature. As Jesus indicates, the former darkens the mind which refuses to recognize its folly, while the latter is led by the spirit of truth and walks in the light.